Help planning trip - stay in Karnataka or head to Goa or Kerala

My partner and i (both English) are invited to a friends wedding reception in Bangalore over xmas. We have jumped at the chance to go and want to make the most of the long flights by spending about 3 weeks in india. The time we can get off work means that the reception will fall in the middle week. My dilema is how long to stay in bangalore for, and where to go for the rest of the time. We have both been to northern Goa before and really enjoyed that, but want to see some other places to. Would you recommend staying in Karnataka the whole time, or visiting Kerala or Goa. We probably don't want to be traveling every day, so a few places were we can stop for a few days would probably be best.

Thank you in advance

Charkit

Hi Charkit,

Christmas time, as you know, is best to Visit any of the places you mentioned.

Tentatively you may do:-

Option 1 :- [Nature / Beaches /Hills]

Bangalore-Trivandrum[By Train / Flight]- 2 day trip to Kanyakumari- Explore Kovalam / Cherai / Varkala beaches- Explore Houseboats of Alleppey - Enjoy the City of Cochin - Experience the hills of Munnar / Thekkady [Periyar].

Option 2:- [Architecture / Hills / Beaches]

Bangalore - Hampi[By Train upto Hospet followed by short ride in Cab /Bus to Hampi]-Gokarna for Beautiful Beaches - Murdeshwara [For Beaches and Calm / Scenic surroundings]- Belur / Halebeedu/ Shravanabelagola [For Excellent Hoysala Architecture / Gigantic Gomatheswara Temple in Hill top]

Option 3:- [ Architecture / Beaches/ Nature / Party]

Bangalore- Hampi [By Train upto Hospet followed by short ride in Cab/bus to Hampi]- Goa

Option 4:- [Nature / Hills / Wildlife / Architecture]

Bangalore - Mysore[ Mysore Exploration] - Shrirangapatna - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary] - Talakkadu [Temples Buried under sand] - Somanathpur [Hoysala Architecture] - Shivasamudra waterfalls ---> All of these places are closer to Mysore and could be covered in 6 to 7 Days in relaxed pace - Stay at Kabini JLR [Run by Karnataka Forest Dept] to explore Nagarahole NP - Explore Wayanad for 4 days.

Even though too many places it looks like, It's all relatively closer to each other and Travel will be minimal.


For 3 weeks you could any of the above in a relaxed pace .If you are looking to include any specific place or need more suggestions, Feel free to ask !

Hope this helps
Velu

Thank you for your suggestions.

We have two options when booking out flights.

The first option would be to fly to bangalore about 10 days before the wedding, have a few days in bangalore, then head to Hampi for a few days, then back to bangalore for wedding, then head out to mysore and possibly northern kerala area for a week, back to bangalore for flight home. How easy is it to get to kerala from bangalore? and where would be the nicest bit of untouristy coastline easliy accessible from mysore or bangalore

Second option would be to fly out just before wedding, then have about 2 weeks free after. We would still like to visit Hampi (we are climbersso want to visit the boulders as well as the temples), but would also like to spend a bit of time by the coast so i'm guessing Goa would be the easiest place to get to from Hampi.

Which option sounds better to you?

How long would you recommend we spend in Bangalore, given that one day is the wedding reception, and the other is christmas say.

Also will we have much difficultly travelling around xmas?

Again thank you for your help. The bride is very busy planning her uk part of the wedding at the moment, and since she is originally from hubli (husband to be from bangalore), and she moved to uk when she was 7, she can't really answer my questions

I will be in goa 18 oct with my family and children.want to see mysore ,back on 25 oct to guwahati.itinery plz

@Chrkit,

Option 2 would be interesting as you are interested to Visit Hampi too.

If you want a nicer place nearer to Bangalore/ Mysore in Kerala for a shorter trip, I would suggest Kasaragod + Kannur. Both the Cities are connected to Bangalore && Mysore by overnight Express train !

Hope this helps
Velu

Very easy. Direct trains and buses often from Bangalore --> Cochin.

Cochin and Gokarna are both very accessible from Bangalore - Mysore has direct buses to Cochin about 5 times per day (maybe trains too?). Both are rather touristy places though.

You don't need to spend any time in Bangalore. There's nothing to see and you will be sick of the place after getting to and from the wedding, and traveling through it on the way to other places. Your time is better spent seeing Hampi, Mysore and around, and Kerala.

Trains you should book well in advance, ESPECIALLY the Hampi express. I think you should book now if you can. The Hampi Express can and will sell out weeks in advance, esp around Christmas. I remedy this by taking buses, which don't need to be bought in advance, but not everyone is up for the bus. But definitely don't miss Hampi - it is a must-see. Enjoy!

Goa will be completely booked and too crowded, if ur into partying then consider it.

Thanks for all the advice, the plan is starting to come together.

WE're going to fly into bangalore on 16th december, have a day to recover from flights then getovernight train to hampi. Spend 3 or 4 nights at hampi. in reply to candy girl, i thought i had read that you can't book a train before 60 days before you travel, is this true? Also in terms of getting accommodation this close to xmas will we need to book inadvance? or should we be able to find a guest house when we arrive?

We will then return to bangalore for xmas and wedding with our friends.

Then we have 10 days free to travel. I have some ideas on where i would like to go, but not sure how to fit them together. i would apprcieate any advice, or other suggestions that may fit in.

I would like to spend a few of days on the coast to relax (not sure where), visit mysore, visit nagarhole, visit Dubare elephant sanctuary.

i have no preference in what order we do things, so whatever makes sense. And please tell me if i have missed out somewhere that i should visit.

Hampi and Gokarna have to be definitely on your list

I'm not sure how far in advance you can book a train - try in the next month or 2 on the Indian rail website and see if it will let you. Just definitely don't leave it until 30 days or less because it WILL be full.

Guesthouses abound in Hampi and you shouldn't have much trouble finding a room if you get there in the morning.